Game apparatus.



No. 722,789. PATENTED MAR. 17, 1903. W. R. WILLIAMS.

GAME APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 5, 1901.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM R. WILLIAMS, OF NORFOLK, VIRGINIA.

GAM E APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 722,789, dated March 17, 1903. Applicatibn filed February 5, 1901. Serial No. 46,141. (N model.)

- game-board which will prove instructive and amusing, and while the general principle is the same as pool or billiards it differs therefrom to such a degree that those having scruples against those games may enjoy this device.

Furthermore, the object of the invention is to produce a game-board in which certain of the balls are driven to an inclosure in the center of the table and in the provision of means for causing a flag to rise on a fiagstaft through the use of certain mechanism, to be hereinafter more fully set forth and claimed.

With the above and other objects in viewthe invention consists in the details of con: struction and in the arrangement and combination of parts whereby a highly-amusing,- entertaining, and instructive game apparatus v 7 is produced.

In describing the invention in detail reference will be had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification,wherein like characters denote corresponding parts in the several views, and in which I Figure l is a plan' view of a game-board embodying the invention. Fig. 2 is an end view thereof. Fig. 3 is a section of a fragment of the table through the central pocket.

In the drawings, 1 denotes the board, having the flexible cushions 2, said board being provided with adjustable legs of any ordinary construction, (not shown,) that the board may be applied to a table and adjusted to lie level. The board is provided with a central recess, preferably square, with the angles pointed toward the ends and sides of the board, and posts 3 are anchored in the board at these angles and have rubber coverings 4 for the purpose of protecting the balls and at the same time deflecting the same when they contact therewith. Centrally of the recess is a post 5, slightly larger than those described, and this post 5 is also provided with a rubber covering. Partitions 6 extend from the central post to the corner-posts and divide the recess into four equal triangular pockets,in which the balls may lodge. Curved guards 7 connect the corner-posts and are stationed at such height from the surface of the table as to permit the balls to pass thereunder. Stationed on the rail of the table is a flagstafi 8, having a loop 9 in its upper end for the reception of a cord 10. A weight 11 is secured to one end of the cord and about centrally of the cord is a dag 12, the said cord being extended a considerable distance from the flag for the purpose to be hereinafter described. As before stated, pockets are formed in the center of the table, (designated by the characters 1, 2, 3', and 4'.)

In playing this game the balls which are driven to the pockets are fancifully designed as Spanish cruisers, which are to be considered as sunk when driven to the pockets. A cue-ball is used, which is the same size as those representing the cruisers, and they may be of any suitable material to answer the purpose. Firing-lines are indicated on the table near each end, from the back of which the cue-ball must be driven. As developed, I prefer four styles of play: first, for the novice; second, for the amateur; third, for the semi-expert, and, fourth, for the professional. For the novice or beginner four balls, representing the ships, are placed on the spots, as shown in the drawings, and by shots with the one or cannon ball the four balls must be driven under. the guard into the pockets in the center of the table, similar to the play in pool. In this novice game the ship or pocket need not be called in order to count. For those who have attained proficiency the rules should require that balls should be called and that certain cushions should be struck before the ball lands in the pocket; but this being in detail and not forminga part of the invention need not be more fully disclosed.

In the use of the flagstaff or flag-raising the free end of the cord, to which the flag is attached, is anchored to the table bya ball, which must be dislodged in order to permit the weight to descend, which is sufficient to draw the flag up when the ball is removed from the cord. It will be seen that as the ball is dislodged the flag will be drawn up the staff by the weight, thus effecting the cupies uponthe table after the balls representing the ships have been sunk by being driven into the pockets to a certain series of cushions to dislodge the ball anchoring the cord to the table, thereby causing the -raising of the flag to proclaim victory; but this also being within the province of the rules of the game may be varied to suit the skill and pleasure of the participants.

Suitable advertising matter may also be employed to aid in the sale of the invention.

The construction, operation, and advantages will, it is thought, be understood from the foregoing description, and it is noted that changes in the proportions and details of constrnctionsuch as the covering for the table and cushions, the size and material for the balls, &c.may be resorted to for successfully carrying the invention into practice without departing from the scope of the claims.

Having thus fully described the invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A game apparatus comprising a playingboard, resilient cushions surrounding the same, a series of pockets formed centrally of the board and below the surface thereof, resilient posts at the corners of said pockets, and curved guards carried by said posts, above the level of the board, substantially as specified.

2. In a game apparatus, the combination with a game-board, provided with a recess below the surface and in the center thereof, of resilient posts at the corners of the recess, curved guards carried by the posts, a central resilient post, and partitions extending from the central post to the corner-posts to divide the recesses into four equal triangular pockets,'substantiall v as specified.

WILLIAM R. WILLIAMS.

Witnesses:

P. A. TATEM, BENJ. F. FANSHAW. 

